Anyone done the Afternoon Garden Tea at Grand Floridian?

[Deb in IA]

I have this booked as our "special event" for our upcoming trip. Anyone here done this?

Any recommendations on things to eat/try?

And there was no dress code mentioned, so I was planning to go in our parks attire - probably shorts, not cutoffs, short sleeved t-shirts, and walking shoes. Is that OK?

We are a family of 4, with 2 teens - 17 year old DD and 13 year old DS, and we are fairly adventurous eaters.

Thanks!!

 

[Kae]

I saw a great review on this. I would try to do a search at google.

Kae

 

[suzimar57]

have done this several times: alone, with DS, and with DH

(neither DS nor DH enjoyed it very much!)

always get the tea including the sandwiches, scones and pastries

love it there - so pretty and "frou-frou" - i've always just gone in park attire (which for me is usually skort, plain sleeveless top and sandals)

 

[Chloesmom]

We have done this 3 times so far and its become a must do for us.
We always go on our first day so we are wearing what we wore on the plane but I have seen shorts and flip flops up to sundresses. You will be comfortable no matter what you wear.
I love love love the scones. They are so yummy. I would buy them and take them home if i thought they would be just as good a week later. I did not care for the tea sandwiches. I am an adventurous eater to say the least but I found them to be barely edible. Maybe I hit a day day but the thought of them makes me gag. Now I go and get tea, scones, and either the trifle or the dessert tray.
My DD9 loves this place and cannot wait to go back in August. She gets the Mrs. Potts Tea which is Chocolate milk instead of tea and kid friendly sandwiches ( PB&J, tuna, ham) and they get to pick a dessert.
You will have a great time...

 

[Carol1973]

My adult DD and I did this last May when we were there. My DH took DGS and walked around the resort with the stroller so the girls could have a fun afternoon. Then we walked around the GF afterwards. It was WONDERFUL! I felt totally spoiled. We both ordered The Grand Tea. It was quite a bit of food and very delicious. I've booked this for DH and I this September. It's a beautiful atmosphere and very relaxing. You don't feel rushed at all.

 

[Yacht Club Family]

My DD and I did this last year for the first time. She was 4 then and can't wait to go back this year. They thought it amusing that she didn't want the milk chocolate or anything, but wanted hot Earl Gray tea like mom. She drinks it here at home with me and is used to it (I add an ice cube or two to hers). I guess a lot of kids don't like it. Loved the scones and petit fours and while the sandwiches weren't my faves, I did gain an appreciation of watercress.

We just wore capri's and tops with sandals, so we were pretty casual. An older couple came in wearing suits (skirts/jackets). After speaking with them for a while (we were waiting for them to open), I think that's just how they dress. They seemed fairly formal and mentioned how warm they had been at MK - I would have wilted away in a jacket, but that's just me.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[Clotho]

We did it in 2004 and really enjoyed it. We dressed a little nicer that day in anticipation of the tea, knowing it would be a little frou four. I wore a nice tank top and a skirt, and hubby wore dress shorts and a button up short sleece shirt. Still comfy for the parks, and we felt appropriate for the tea!

 

[MickeyNicki]

DH and I did it on our March/April trip and we both loved loved loved it! Pics and review are in my signature.

We came straight from the park, both in WDW tees and shorts.

The scone with the devonshire cream was the most amazing thing ever!

 

[LAS321]

My 23 yr. old daughter and I went last summer and loved it. It was so relaxing. We ordered our selections a la carte last year each having a pot of tea, strawberries and cream and a pastry and splitting the finger sandwiches. Evrything was delicious. We have made an ADR for our visit this August and will probably each get one of the combos. We just loved the atmosphere overlooking the lobby of the GF.

 

[Belle5]

I have done it with my mother and on a different visit with my sons. We just love it! My favorite sandwich was something with a roasted pear, I think. The strawberries are great. The trifle is great. I think with our Grand Tea we were offered sparkling apple juice since we didn't want champagne. I remember there is a pastry that looks like a swan that was AWESOME! (I was surprised because it looked kind of plain) It is such a lovely environment...sigh...I might need to put that on the plan for September and pay out of pocket. Hmmm...If your going in December make sure you have an ADR. Tour busses full of retired ladies show up to see the GF holiday decorations and have tea.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I have several times, and doing so again this weekend.
I always get the Buckingham Palace.

 

[Clotho]

We got the Buckingham Palace, too. It was so filling, we ended up cancelling our dinner ADR that night! So be warned, it all looks very tiny, but those tiny things add up and some are quite rich. So give yourself a light lunch or skip lunch, and give yourself time between that and a late dinner!

 

[Aimeedyan]

I enjoy it a lot - I have gone with my mom and then I took my mom and MIL once.

We usually get something like the Buckingham and then order a few things ala carte, like the blue stilton cheese or extra pastries.

Everything I've had (esp the cheese!) is very tasty. The waitstaff were always helpful in making suggestions and showing off the pastries and tea selections, too.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Yup, love it. If you don't appreciate a slow relaxing time, it probably won't be as enjoyable. But it's a great way to wind down after being in the parks in the AM. We have reservations the day we depart FL this September.

 

[Deb in IA]

Thanks, everyone!!!

I really appreciate the suggestions. Everything sounds so yummy! We have reservations for 3:30 this Sunday, and I am really looking forward to it!!